Minocycline
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Side Effects

Minocycline is an oral antibiotic that works by fighting bacteria in the body, including in the skin, and also reduces inflammation. It should...

Minocycline is an oral antibiotic that works by fighting bacteria in the body, including in the skin, and also reduces inflammation. It should be used only short term (max. 3 months).

It is usually taken once a day with food, at the same time every day.

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4
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24.9%
2
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1
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July 3, 2010

Pros:

NONE!!!!

Cons:

Lupus

I should have written this 2 years ago. My daughter was put on minocycline for her acne. I didn' t want her taking accutane because of the side effects so she was given this instead. I didn't research this drug because I was told its an antibiotic(no big deal). Guess what its a BID DEAL!!! She ended up with Drug Induced LUPUS!!!! PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE. If you look at the side effects you would NOT take this medication. After 2 hospitalizations, searching for a competent doctor and finding one at COLUMBIA Medical Center she is finally off medications as of May 2010. This has been going on since October 2008. We are waiting to see what her bloodwork shows since her last labs 2 weeks ago showed her liver enzymes elevated again! She may be put back on IMURAN which helps with the swelling. She was on medrol before that for 10 months (another dangerous medication). All this for clear skin...not. I kick myself for allowing my 16 yr old to be damaged in this way. Please I beg all those who want clear skin...your health is more important. WHO CARES WHAT YOUR SKIN LOOKS LIKE IF YOU ARE DEAD. This should be taken off the market so other children aren't affected and now that my roller coaster ride is almost over I will see to it.
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July 2, 2010

Pros:

Clears up a bit at first then stops

Cons:

Nausea
Yeast infection
Increased sensitivity
Can't lie down for a half hour!!!!!

I got a YI a week in, a bad sunburn and I threw up a lot from taking it. It took forever to work and if it sat in your mouth too long or you took it wothout water there is a DISGUSTING taste, and it gets stuck in your throat. After a while I gave up because there were too many restrictions and side effects. I kinda which I had gotten addicted, that way I would have at least wanted to take them! p.s--By the way, to 'Anonymous from Pangea' It doesn't do that, you're imagining it. My god, and if it really did, you may want to see a doctor, because you never know, it could be cancer. pp.s--I am pretty sure Pangea doesn't exist anymore, what fairytale are you living in?
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July 1, 2010

Pros:

Kills acne
keeps skin clear

Cons:

take about 2 months to work

I am a fourteen year old girl, and this cleared my terrible acne very quickly! i would recomened this to anyone.
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June 30, 2010

Pros:

-Makes your acne fade away
-Works AMAZINGLY AWESOME!
-Insurance will pay for it (most likely)

Cons:

-Use a lotion..skin will get very dry!
-Be consistant...or it won't work

I have BAD acne-first of all. And I needed my acne to leave...NOW! I spent thousandsof dollars at trhe dermatoligists, paying for new treatments every month. But then...-I learned a VERY important lesson. BE PATIENT! Give your medicine at LEAST a month before changing it. Out of ALL treatments, this one works the BEST. I didn't sat the FASTEST, but the BESTEST! Go to your dermatoligist today, and get it! You'll feel, look, and be happier and healthier once again. Love you all! Bye for now!
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June 29, 2010

Pros:

Kills off infections under your skin
Clears up acne pretty fast

Cons:

Short-term only
Minor side effects (headache)

This does it's job better than topical antibiotics or benzoyl peroxide. It fights your acne by killing the bacteria under the surface, not by unclogging the pores. Long term use is not recommended since p. acnes can become immune to antibiotics. This is why I occasionally will use benzoyl peroxide to prevent immunity. I was only prescribed this for a week after my doctor increased my retin-a dosage to .1 mg to prevent any type of breakout. It did it's job. Within a few days most of the pimples on my face healed and I was only left with red marks. However once I stopped using it, acne of course came back again until the retin-a started to kick in. Bottom line: It's effective, but isn't a permanent solution. I'd recommend using it along with a retinoid.
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June 26, 2010

Pros:

none

Cons:

Very little benefit and issues with yeast infections later in life.

I took this as a teenager for horrible acne for 2-3 years, and I still fight with as an 32 year old adult with Duac, which works pretty well. Anyway, be warned about taking antibiotics as a teenager for acne! Antibiotics will not work well for you later in life when you really need them, and you may develop recurring yeast infections from chronic antibiotic use, which become another uncomfortable battle regardless of acne. I blame the long-term use of minocycline on my issues with yeast infections as an adult. For the little benefit you see from antibiotics, it's not worth the long-term issues.
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June 24, 2010

Pros:

Clearer skin than I'd had in years by the end of 6 weeks!

Cons:

Headaches and nausea after each dose
Could not take with food - had to be hours away from it twice a day.
Constant yeast infections that wouldn't go away entirely, even with Diflucan
Acne comes back within a month or so after stopping.

As a last resort before moving to isotretinoin (Accutane), I let the dermatologist give this a shot. He said he uses it regularly himself, and it was worth a try. I used it with topical Retin-A at night and BenzaClyn in the morning. For the first couple of weeks, my face got much worse and was covered with little red bumps as everything surfaced. By the end of the six weeks, I had clear skin that was smooth to the touch. Lots of compliments from my peers. The downside was that I had 3 or 4 yeast infections within a six-week period - that awful itchy kind that just don't seem to go away. Between those and the nausea and constant headaches each time I took a dose (twice a day), I opted to move forward with isotretinoin instead. I am so glad I did! Now I'm finishing my 5th month of isotretinoin and my skin just glows. I hardly ever get a single pimple. Definitely worth exploring if minocycline doesn't leave you happy/you can bear the minocycline side effects. My biggest concern is the damage that you're doing to your body by being on antibiotics long term - especially such strong ones as these - with no end in sight. Something to consider. But minocycline definitely works!
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June 17, 2010

Pros:

Cleared skin mostly, minor minor little red clogged pores (I think they are surfacing though - like clearing themselves out)

Cons:

- Skin doesn't heal that well.
- When I do have a small pimple or I pick at my face (stupid, as it is pretty much clear), the spot won't heal for ages....and leaves marks.
- BLOATING! SO annoying. I think I've gained a tiny bit of weight too but my stomach is huuuuge. My jeans are too tight, it's so annoying.

Cleared skin pretty well but some annoying side effects to take into account.
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June 9, 2010

Pros:

Cleared up acne scars a LITTLE bit

Cons:

Skin pigmentation!!! and some LARGE, painful zits popping up.

I took this medication 4 times within 2 weeks (I was told to start slow) and I noticed a "bruise" on my thigh. Its about 2-21/2" long by 1" wide. Figured out, it wasn't a bruise (there was no trauma to the area and it didn't hurt at all) it was changed skin pigmentation. I contacted my doctor about it and she told me to stop immediately. It's been over a week since I have taken it and I still have this large mark on my leg - dark blue/black. I refuse to wear shorts or a bathing suit in public until it goes away!
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May 31, 2010

Pros:

Major improvements in my skin after the first week of use and thereafter

Cons:

Extreme nausea for the first 2 weeks of use

This has been my miracle drug in my teen years and also during my first year of grad school. I was recently prescribed Yasmin in combination with minocycline to help with my severe cystic acne and this combination has worked wonders for me. The first 2 weeks of taking minocycline was literally hell for me. I was completely debilitated every time I took the recommended dosage (2X daily) which gave me severe nausea attacks. Some days my nausea was so bad I wasn't able to get up and go to school and my appetite was suppressed quite a bit because I wasn't feeling well. I went back to the doctor and said that this drug is completely incapacitating me but she said that it is one of the side effects but as my body gets used to it, the nausea will eventually go away. Thankfully by the 2nd week my nausea attacks were gone and my face was starting to improve noticeably. 8 months later, my skin has improved by 95% and my mild breakouts come along with my monthlies, which is quite normal for me. If you are someone who has hit rock bottom and you have nothing to lose because your face is in the worst condition it has ever been, please give this drug a try. It has helped me during the worst possible time in my life and it might help you. Everyone reacts differently to treatments and I can only speak from my own experience but it might just work for you too.
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Finding a Doctor

The right dermatologist can make a big difference to your patient experience and the success of your acne treatment plan. Here are the steps to find a dermatologist who is a good fit:

  1. Use the search feature on the American Academy of Dermatology website to look for board-certified dermatologists in your area, and filter the search results for doctors with a special interest in treating acne.
  2. Read online patient reviews of any dermatologists you are considering and ask people you know whether they have any experience with these dermatologists.
  3. Do your research and go to your first appointment with questions prepared.
  4. Listen to what your gut feeling tells you once you see a dermatologist in person. If you are not completely comfortable, try a different dermatologist.
Find a Doctor Using The American Acacemy of Dermatology Website

Finding a Doctor

Only a select few plastic surgeons specialize in acne scar revision surgery. Be certain to find a provider who specializes in acne scar repair and who is passionate and experienced in this area.

Be sure to:

  • Look at before and after photos, the more the better, especially patients with similar scarring to your own.
  • Be realistic about results. Look for improvement, not a cure.

Questions to ask a potential scar revision specialist:

  • Are you board certified? Be certain that they are board certified.
  • How long have you been performing these procedures? Normally, the more experience the better, however, some younger surgeons may be more on top of the latest procedures.
  • Can I speak to some of your other patients? Ask for references for several patients who had similar scarring and speak to them about the process and their satisfaction with results.

Red flags:

  • Their story changes: As you discuss different treatment options, if they tend to change their mind easily, or agree with whatever you say, consider this a red flag. A confident, experienced surgeon will possess strong, unwavering opinions.
  • Your gut tells you "no": Trust your gut. If you just don't feel that the doctor is the right fit, trust that and move on. On the other hand, if you feel they are the perfect specialist for you, trust that feeling.
Find a Doctor Using the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Website